MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s full schedule in Switzerland, such as meeting business leaders, showcasing the country’s economic success, and introducing the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund will all redound to the benefit of the country, the members of the Philippine delegation said.

“Asahan niyo po na lalong dadami po ang investments sa ating bansa. Walang tigil po ang pagta-trabaho ni President Bongbong Marcos dito sa Davos at sunod-sunod po ‘yung mga meetings niya para magkaroon po ng additional investment sa ating bansa,” Senator Mark Villar said in an interview Tuesday.

“At pag nagkaroon po ng additional investment, siyempre po dadami po ang opportunities sa ating bansa, dadami po ‘yung job opportunities sa ating bansa at lalong aasenso ang ating ekonomiya,” Villar explained.

Villar is part of the country’s delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

In a separate interview, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said President Marcos’ attendance at the WEF is important because it opens up opportunities for the country to entice foreign investors to put their money in the Philippines, particularly in infrastructure development.

“Napaka-importante na pag-usapan ‘yung mga proyekto natin sa imprastraktura, mag-invite tayo ng mga investors and isa nga ito sa mga napag-usapan namin kagabi doon sa isang dinner na nandoon ‘yung CEO ng mga big companies, not only in Asia, but in Europe,” Bautista pointed out.

Through the WEF, the Philippines can show the world its economic feat, with other countries expressing admiration as the country records an economic growth rate of 6.5 to 7 percent.

Bautista said his department has already received a very strong support overseas, as former UK prime minister Tony Blair showed interest in supporting DOTr’s initiatives, especially railway projects.

After the WEF, the transport chief expects to implement DOTr’s programs not only to improve the country’s transport sector but also to attract tourists to come to the Philippines.

For his part, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the President’s WEF participation will benefit the planned establishment of the sovereign wealth fund, which will become the funding source of the Philippines’ major infrastructure projects.

“Kasi marami tayong proyekto na nangangailangan ng funding: infrastructure projects; pinanghihiram pa natin ng pera ‘yun eh from Japan, China, sa World Bank, ADB (Asian Development Bank). Eh ngayon, kung mayroon tayong ganung fund pwede natin gamitin ‘yun para mapondohan ‘yun. ‘Yun ang purpose nun,” Diokno said in an interview.

“So there are many projects– talagang very important projects, priority projects,” the DOF secretary said.

The exciting thing is that President Marcos is able to showcase the country on the global stage in his first year in the presidency, the finance chief said.

“Lagi ko sinasabi na this is our moment. Talagang we have a nice story to tell and it’s just a matter of implementation para gumanda talaga ang buhay ng Pilipinas at ng mga Pilipino,” Diokno said. (PCO)